Cycle lanes - It's dangerous to drive in them.

[rastuscat]

The number of motorcycles and mopeds being driven in cycle lanes in Christchurch is concerning Police.

Sergeant ********** of the Intersection Safety Team shakes his head when he sees the shortcuts riders are taking by using cycle lanes.

"It's both dangerous and illegal for a moped or motorcycle to be driven in a cycle lane."

"Car drivers are not expecting a motor vehicle to be travelling up the inside of a line of cars, and just don't see them before hitting them. It's dangerous enough for cyclists, let alone moped riders and motorcyclists. That's clear from the number of cyclists being hit by cars. It's easy to blame the car driver, but riders can make themselves far safer by changing their own behaviour instead of waiting for everyone else to change."

Police are often advised by moped riders that it is safer to ride in the cycle lane than to ride in the traffic lane. Sergeant ****** points out that if the vehicle you have is not able to be ridden safely in accordance with the existing road rules, it probably is the wrong vehicle for the purpose.

"People expecting us to ignore illegal, unsafe driving are likely to be disappointed with our response. The $150 fine is designed to encourage safe driving practises. Comply, and the fine will never be a problem for you."

[CookMySock]

"Car drivers are not expecting a motor vehicle to be travelling up the inside of a line of cars, and just don't see them before hitting them.

Pardon? What's the car doing in the cycle lane? Under what circumstances is it acceptable for the car to lane-change without looking first? When is it legal for the cyclist to pass a moving car on the left?

Steve

[bogan]

"Car drivers are not expecting a motor vehicle to be travelling up the inside of a line of cars, and just don't see them before hitting them.
....
It's easy to blame the car driver, but riders can make themselves far safer by changing their own behaviour instead of waiting for everyone else to change."

Read between the lines, car drivers have a high proportion of fucking numpties, but theres heaps of them, easier to jump on the bandwagon and pick on motorcyclists and scooterists instead.

I don't see how its unsafe using a cycle lane, be fucking slow stuck behind the cyclists though

[Ixion]

Whilst not endorsing Sergeant's philosophy, it must needs be said that riding in cycle lanes is dangerous. Cars will endeavour to hit you . If they don't see you, you are probably safer, being seen just makes it easier for them to target you.

But, riding in car lanes is equally dangerous, and car drivers will just not see you before hitting you there too.

The safest method is to take to the footpath. In my experience, car drivers make fewer efforts to hit you there. They still want to, of course, but they are scared of buckling their rims going over the kerb to reach you. So that is the safest option.

Being held up by cyclists in a cycle lane is never a problem. Who ever saw a cyclist in a cycle lane ?

I am puzzled though why Sergeant thinks that cycle lanes are more dangerous for mopeds and motorbikes than bicycles. If a cager can't (or won't ) see a big and loud motorbike, what chance has he of seeing a smaller and less visible bicycle ? Cycle lane, car lane, footpath, verge, driveway , use whatever resource is available. Just be always aware that all of them are dangerous, and some are illegal.

[rastuscat]

Read between the lines, car drivers have a high proportion of fucking numpties, but theres heaps of them, easier to jump on the bandwagon and pick on motorcyclists and scooterists instead.

I don't see how its unsafe using a cycle lane, be fucking slow stuck behind the cyclists though

When there is a line of cars sitting waiting for some reason (red light, roundabout etc) quite often some kind motorist leaves a gap for someone coming in the other direction to turn right through. It's completely legal to make a turn across a cycle lane.

When they turn right they are so busy focussing on where they are going, they don't look for the cyclist, motorbike or moped coming up the outside.

Sadly, this is not a hypothetical situation. It happens at least several times each day in Christchurch, and sometimes leads to lifelong injuries.

Sure,it's the fault of the car turning right, but that's probably not much consolation when you are the one with all the road rash, crunched bones and de-gloved limbs.

Be happy being in the right, or be happier being safe, and don't go up the left hand side, cycle lane or not. It's dangerous.

[MSTRS:Me]

I am puzzled though why Sergeant thinks that cycle lanes are more dangerous for mopeds and motorbikes than bicycles. If a cager can't (or won't ) see a big and loud motorbike, what chance has he of seeing a smaller and less visible bicycle ?

And it has nothing to do with what speed any 2 wheeled conveyance is doing...treadlies can and do whip down there pretty quick too.
Forget whether it's legal or not. It's cagers NOT LOOKING that is the major problem.

[bogan]

Who ever saw a cyclist in a cycle lane ?

I did a while ago but they were 'taken care of' pretty quick!

When there is a line of cars sitting waiting for some reason (red light, roundabout etc) quite often some kind motorist leaves a gap for someone coming in the other direction to turn right through. It's completely legal to make a turn across a cycle lane.

Um, are you sure, what about the cyclist that gets cut off? doesn't that count as failure to give way?

[rastuscat]

Sure it does. The car has failed to give way. He's wrong wrong wrong.

Trouble is, knowing that you are right will not make the broken leg better, but if that's what's important to you, live life always in the right and take the injuries that you get coz others are wrong wrong wrong.

If you get the injuries basically it doesn't matter who is in the right, you're still the one with the injury.

[rastuscat]

And it has nothing to do with what speed any 2 wheeled conveyance is doing...treadlies can and do whip down there pretty quick too.
Forget whether it's legal or not. It's cagers NOT LOOKING that is the major problem.

Amen. It's not just me then.

[bogan]

It's completely legal to make a turn across a cycle lane.

Sure it does. The car has failed to give way. He's wrong wrong wrong.

I'm confused, how is it legal to make a turn across a cycle lane? and how is a motorbike in the cycle lane more at risk than one in a car lane?

[Spuds1234]

I'm confused, how is it legal to make a turn across a cycle lane? and how is a motorbike in the cycle lane more at risk than one in a car lane?

Cycle lanes cross driveways for example. Car lets another car turn right across stationary traffic and a cycle lane to get to their driveway, and a bike (doesnt matter what kind) comming down the cyclelane gets nailed because the car turning right either couldnt see the bike or didnt look.

[p.dath]

This is an April fools joke, right? You had me going.

[bogan]

Cycle lanes cross driveways for example. Car lets another car turn right across stationary traffic and a cycle lane to get to their driveway, and a bike (doesnt matter what kind) comming down the cyclelane gets nailed because the car turning right either couldnt see the bike or didnt look.

yeh, not legal though is it. And easily avoidable, by simply wondering why the car has stopped, probly means theres a hazard ahead.
And Kiwi drivers letting others turn in front, don't think that happens too often

[quickbuck]

This is an April fools joke, right? You had me going.

Actually, no it's not.
I know of the said Sergent. He does have grave concerns for the motorcyclists.

I can tell you from personal experience that a leg wrapped around the 100mm box section frame of your motorcycle takes about a year to heal.
The mind takes a lot longer in some cases.

Yes, what chance do cyclists have?
Stuff all as well!!! And they are silent.... and can do 50 with ease in some cases.....

The thing is, a cyclist has less momentum and finds it easier to take evasive action in most cases, and yell and wave their fists if they remain upright.

Motorcyclists have a power of acceleration, and momentum quickly builds....

I must admit I considered using the cycle lane to jump a line of traffic up the left hand side in Palmy today.
Then I remembered Sergent ****'s words, and decided best DON'T!
Good thing i didn't too, as i would have been squished judging by the driving ability of the operator of the car in the front of the cue.....

By waiting another minute, I saved about a week in hospital....

Stay safe with the extra holiday traffic around.... Start of school holidays too.....

[quickbuck]

yeh, not legal though is it. And easily avoidable, by simply wondering why the car has stopped, probly means theres a hazard ahead.
And Kiwi drivers letting others turn in front, don't think that happens too often

Umm,
The Hazard? Could be a set of lights? Or a really busy intersection controlled by a stop sign.....
There are plenty of kiwi drivers who let others in or out of intersections in busy areas.... So, yes Spuds identification of a danger is spot on.